Thursday, October 21, 2010

Subfloor Requirements and Preparation

Our floating floor products may be installed over any subfloor, new or existing, provided those materials meet the following requirements:
  • STRUCTURALLY SOUND – Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak. Replace any water-damaged subflooring or underlayments. Subfloor must have minimal vertical movement (deflection)
  • CLEAN – Scraped, broom clean, and smooth. Free of wax, paint, oil or debris.
  • FLAT – Within 3/16" in 10' and/or 1/8" in 6'. Sand high areas or joints, fill low areas with a leveling compound or layers of 15# builders felt. DO NOT use cushioned underlayment for this purpose.
  • DRY – Check moisture of subfloor. Moisture content of wood subfloor must not exceed 14% on a wood moisture meter, or more than a 5% difference than moisture level of product being installed unless a suitable moisture retardant material is installed prior to installation of the flooring. Visual checks are not reliable.
Acceptable test methods for subfloor moisture content include:
  • Polyfilm test: Tape 3" X 3" pieces of polyethylene film to the subfloor and leave in place for 24 hours. Assure all edges are completely sealed. Darkened concrete or condensation on film indicates presence of moisture and requires testing with Tramex meter or Calcium Chloride.
  • Calcium Chloride test. The maximum moisture transfer must not exceed 5#/1000 square feet in a 24 hour period with this test. Test several areas, especially near exterior walls and walls containing plumbing.
  • Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter meter. Moisture readings should not exceed 5.5 on the upper scale.

Next Installment - Correcting Moisture Problems

Visit http://www.thefloortrader.com/ to find the Floor Trader, Stone Mountain, or GCO Carpet Outlet nearest you.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Installation Tips for Hardwood III - Pre-Installation Recommendations & Best Practices


To continue with our tips on Installing Hardwood, let's discuss pre-installation recommendations and best practices, including storage & handling and site requirements.

Pre-Installation Recommendations and Best Practices

Prior to installation of any hardwood flooring product, the installer must determine that the job-site environment and the sub-surfaces involved, meet or exceed all requirements as stipulated in the installation instructions. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure resulting from or associated with sub-surface or job-site environment deficiencies.

Storage and Handling
Handle and unload with care. Store in a dry place, preferably within the room where the product is to be installed. Be sure to provide at least a four-inch air space under cartons when storage occurs over concrete. DO NOT OPEN CARTONS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. This may cause the tongue to swell making installation difficult.

Site Requirements
EXTERIOR: Exterior grading should be complete with surface drainage directing water away from the building. All gutters and downspouts should be in place.

INTERIOR: The building should be closed in with all outside doors and windows in place. All concrete, masonry, framing members, drywall, paint and other wet work should be thoroughly dry. The wall coverings should be in place and the painting completed except for the final coat on the base molding. When possible, delay installation of base molding until flooring installation is complete. Subfloors (wood or concrete) must be checked for moisture content using the appropriate testing method. This product may be installed below, on or above grade. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry and well ventilated. Concrete should be at least 60 days old. Permanent air conditioning and heating systems should be in place and operational. The installation site should have a consistent room temperature of 60-75° F and humidity of 35-55% for three days prior, during and until occupied. Do not install in areas of high moisture incidence such as bathrooms and powder rooms.

NOTE: Radiant heated subfloors. In rooms with under-floor (radiant) heating, the surface temperature of the subfloor may not, under any circumstances, exceed 85° F. Increasing heat should be done in 5-degree increments. DO NOT install species other than Oak when using this type of heating system. Excessive heat may cause unacceptable shrinkage and structural damage.

Next "Tips" Installmement - Subfloor Requirements and Preparation or visit The Floor Trader - Installation Tips for Hardwood.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Announcing New Durable, Soft Style Carpet

The Floor Trader is excited to announce the launch of their newest product collection, Tigressá Softstyle Carpet. Like its animal kingdom namesake, the inventive new collection features the strength and resilience of precision nylon fibers with a soft touch you have to feel to believe.


Although the most obvious feature of this revolutionary product may be its softness, it is Tigressá’s strength and durability that set it apart from its competitors. Its super-strong, nylon fibers are packed tight to stand up to daily carpet abuse. There are actually twice the number of fibers per square inch compared to standard nylon carpet.

“The key to Tigressá’s strength is a type of nylon that holds the twist better and longer, which allows the carpet to hold its new appearance much longer than other carpets.” explains Charlie Dilks, Chief Product Officer for The Floor Trader. “Tigressá’s soft feel means our customers no longer have to choose between soft and strong.“

Advanced yarn engineering allows for microscopic fibers which produce a pleasant, luxurious touch. The unique geometric fiber shape is designed to withstand force and allow Tigressá to maintain pristine color and appearance. Where other carpet begins fading and matting, Tigressá stands firm, remains supple, and retains a deeper color texture. The Tigressá line includes several styles available in many colors.

Our Floor Trader, GCO, and Stone Mountain locations are featured on the collections brand-new website http://www.tigressaoutlet.com/ as the exclusive outlet providers of this innovative carpet brand.  Visit participating locations to see this "must have" carpeting today.